Surviving life’s battlefield

An Oahu Marine's rocky return to civilian life inspires a short film the director hopes will help veterans

'Empty Streets" depicts the horrors of war -- but not on the battlefield. Instead, it examines our lack of care for veterans who suffer after they return home, according to director, co-producer and co-writer Paul Booth.

'Empty Streets'

» Screening: 7:15 p.m. Tuesday

» Place: rRed Elephant Cafe, 1144 Bethel St.

» Cost: $5 at the door, with additional donations accepted to help veterans

» Bonus: Q&A with Ely Kalilikane follows screening

The 22-minute short is not intended to initiate arguments about the president or his policies. "So many people politicize our film," said Booth. "But we simply did it out of humanity. When these guys put their lives on the line and come back, they should have enough money for groceries. We have no stand against the military; we just want some accountability."

"Empty Streets" was shot in nondescript locations to portray "anywhere America," said Booth, who lived in Hawaii for 15 years before moving to California in 2005. But the content was inspired right here in the islands.

ANGELINA GERVASI
The official "Empty Streets" poster depicts the main character -- based on Honolulu resident Ely Kalilikane -- struggling to adjust in society after he completes his military service.

Booth, 28, attended Moanalua High School with Ely Kalilikane, a 29-year-old military veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, drug addiction and homelessness when he finished his service as a Marine Corps intelligence specialist in 2002.

"I had a lot of issues with nightmares and guilty feelings," said Kalilikane, who co-wrote and co-produced the movie based on his life. "I couldn't sleep. I was overwhelmed and felt that I wasn't participating to save some of my friends. It really consumed me on a daily basis to the point where I wanted to be numb. So I started self-medicating, and I lost everything, including my wife, my son and my home. I just wasn't able to get a firm grip on reality."

Shooting lasted eight days. In the end, Booth managed to stick to a $3,000 budget. Actor Tony Haviland of Maui plays Kalilikane, and Desiree Duclayan-Parsonson of Kauai co-stars. Kendyce Manguchei, also from Kauai, helped write and produce as well.

Booth has said the movie resembles "Taxi Driver," and portrays one man's reaction to the emotional and physical consequences of war. All of the action takes place in a single evening, representing a typical night in a veteran's life.

"It's a symbol. It's the tip of the iceberg. It's one of a million nights for a million guys," said Booth. "Anyone who's ever been lonely will get something out of this film."

An Oahu man was troubled after leaving military intelligence

Oahu resident Ely Kalilikane can't talk about his job in the military. At all. From 1996 to 2002, the intelligence specialist was forbidden to share details with anyone about what he did, and that non-disclosure requirement continues to this day.

What he can and does talk about, however, is the uncontrolled downward spiral that seized him after he completed his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. This included fighting a serious bout with post-traumatic stress disorder, washing down multiple morphine pills with a bottle of rum on a regular basis and wandering the streets without a home.

"I needed to go through that," said Kalilikane. "Now I'm ready to give back. I really want people to recognize that there are vets coming back who are not able to adjust and need extra care. They're not becoming alcoholics or drug users because it's their choice. They're trying to escape."

ANGELINA GERVASI
Filmmaker Paul Booth, at the Berkeley Marina, attended Moanalua High School with Ely Kalilikane.

The 29-year-old Kalilikane's story inspired the film "Empty Streets," which he co-produced with Moanalua High School friend and filmmaker Paul Booth. The 22-minute short, which recently received an excellence in filmmaking award at the Northern California Film Festival, portrays a typical night in a veteran's life in a setting that could be anywhere in America. The problem is he's not alone.

"There's like 2,000 of us that are just floating around, and have no recognition," said Kalilikane. A knee and shoulder injury brought on his addiction to prescription painkillers, effects of which he enhanced with hard liquor. As his life spiraled out of control, he eventually lost his family and home. Even though he held a job at a rent-to-own home furnishing center, he lived on the streets for about nine months, bouncing between friends' houses and the occasional motel room.

"At least I had friends who cared enough to feed me," he said. Kalilikane's understanding employer frequently let him come to work early to clean up as well.

These small acts of kindness helped get him on the path to repairing his damaged life.

CRAIG T.KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Ely Kalilikane's story of personal loss and redemption inspired filmmaker Paul Booth to write, produce and direct the short film "Empty Streets."

"I'm really trying," said Kalilikane, who has climbed to the position of sales department manager with the same company. "I have a 6-year-old son, and he's my shining light. He's the biggest reason I was able to put myself together. I don't want him to follow in my footsteps. Now I don't have to be stuck in an endless loop. I can move forward."

Along the way, making the movie contributed to that forward movement -- proving therapeutic for all involved.

"When we made the film, everyone was going through something significant in their life, and it shows up on the film," said Booth, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after an assault, and readily admitted to his own battle with alcohol. "Everybody believed in the message. It's just about what humans shouldn't have to go through."

But he also noted that his own substance abuse problems gave him the unique ability to tackle the subject matter. "I was able to completely relate to my friend, and that's why he trusted me with the story," he said. "It was kind of a blessing in disguise."

They trust that their willingness to draw attention to these painful experiences will give other veterans hope for the future.

"He's a really inspiring guy," Booth said of Kalilikane. "I'm just glad his story can be told."